As a Disney-loving family, we weren’t sure how we’d feel about venturing into Universal Studios territory—but we decided to give it a try! If you’re like me (not exactly a thrill-seeker), this review is especially for you.
Booking & Travel Tips
We booked our hotel and park tickets as a package which ended up being a great deal. We scored 5-day park tickets for the price of 3—hard to beat that!
Airfare, on the other hand, was a different story. Flights into Orlando were sky-high at the time, so we flew into Tampa and drove the 1.5 hours to Orlando instead. It cut our flight costs in half, and the drive was totally manageable. Just a heads-up: give yourself plenty of time heading back to the Tampa airport—we hit traffic for about two-thirds of the return drive.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando, which had some definite pros and cons.
What we liked:
- Close to the Vineland Outlets
- Walgreens within walking distance
- Spacious rooms
- Plenty of parking
- Easy freeway access
What we didn’t love:
- You can only turn right out of the hotel, which means constant U-turns in heavy traffic
- The resort is HUGE—if you want to try a different pool, be prepared for a hike
- No water slides (a major letdown for our kids)
- Spotty internet
Our favorite Bonvoy property in the area is still Marriott’s Harbour Lake. The pirate ship and water slide pools are a hit, and the rooms are big and comfy.
Universal Studios: What We Loved (and Didn’t)
We visited both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and while both parks had their highlights, we slightly preferred Islands of Adventure for its layout and ride variety.
My husband and our 11-year-old daughter are the thrill-seekers in our family and rode just about everything. Their favorite? Hands down: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure—a must-do if you love coasters!
My 7-year-old son was obsessed with Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls—just know you’ll get soaked on that one.
As for me (resident non-thrill-seeker), these were my top picks:
- E.T. Adventure
- Men in Black: Alien Attack (similar to Disney’s Toy Story Mania)
- Pteranodon Flyers
- Storm Force Accelatron (think Disney’s teacups)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (a 3D, motion-seat ride that’s not too intense)
If you have younger kids, Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure is adorable and full of gentler ride options.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This was definitely a highlight! Both parks feature different parts of the Wizarding World, and the interactive wands added a whole new layer of fun—just be prepared for big crowds and long lines at every interactive station. Worth it, though!
One Frustrating Rule
Here’s something that caught us off guard: Universal has a policy where a child must give a thumbs up to ride. If they don’t, even after waiting in line for an hour, you may be pulled off the ride. This happened to us with a very tame attraction we were confident our child would enjoy—it was a real letdown and something Disney handles more gracefully. If you’re traveling with a hesitant little one and no second adult, this could be a challenge.
Final Thoughts
We had a great time and loved trying something new, but we’re still a Disney family at heart. That said, if you’re looking to mix things up—or have thrill-seekers in your group—Universal Studios Orlando is definitely worth a visit!
